autosport.com said the frontrunner on a shortlist is Grand
Prix Racing -- 'GPR' for short.

Why the name change? Because Honda and Toyota are to
formally join the carmakers' breakaway group, and Ferrari
recently ditched GPWC to unilaterally align with Bernie
Ecclestone and the FIA.

It's also reported that leading men from Williams, McLaren,
BAR and Minardi are heading up working groups to devise
rules, regulations and marketing.

They'll congregate, for a meeting to be chaired by BAR CEO
Nick Fry, on April 7 and 8.

Ferrari debut 3-seater F1(GMMf1NET
-- Mar.24) A three-seater Ferrari F1 car appeared for the
first time at Fiorano (Italy) on Wednesday.

Similar to Arrows' 2002 concept, the scarlet-painted car
features a passenger on each sidepod.

It'll be used for promotional purposes.

McLaren pioneered the multi-passenger F1 idea with their
1998 two-seater, while a similar design is still used by
Minardi.

BRDC member arrested
(GMMf1NET -- Mar.24) According to a report, a member of
British GP promoter the BRDC was arrested for fraud.

'Motorsport News' magazine said he's accused of forging Club
checks to the tune of $560,000.

The British Racing Drivers' Club, owner of the Silverstone
grand prix circuit, battled to retain the F1 event during
the winter, amid internal wrangling, such as the enforced
exit of chairman Ray Bellm.

The report said no charges were laid, but the staff member
was fired late last year.

''(A firm) has been instructed to investigate how this ...
happened,'' said BRDC chief executive Alex Hooton.

Verstappen on form
(GMMf1NET -- Mar.24) The Netherlands' F1 veteran Jos
Verstappen made an instant impression when he tried a Champ
Car for the first time on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old former Minardi and Tyrrell driver steered
the 'HVM' Lola entry to the third best lap time of the day.

''It's a lot different to a Formula One car,'' Verstappen -
in the company of every team except RuSport - reported at
Sebring (Florida).

Technical director Ross Brawn explained that the
Maranello-based team, off the pace at Melbourne and Sepang,
had almost completed the design of the F2005's new
transmission when the '05 regulations became clear.

''We realized our transmission and engine package was not
very good,'' the Briton told Motorsport News.

''So we needed the extra time.''

Brawn said enforced changes to the diffuser, in particular,
made necessary a fundamental shift in engine and gearbox.

He added: ''We decided we didn't have the right package, so
we had to start again. Whether it was right, we can judge at
the end of the year.''

Did Renault snub test accord?
(GMMf1NET -- Mar.24) Have back-to-back F1 winner Renault
thrown the group of nine's 'gentleman's' agreement on
testing in the bin?

After the united gang slammed Ferrari's snubbing of the
accord, such as by testing simultaneously at two circuits,
it appears that Flavio Briatore's title-leading mob did just
that on Wednesday.

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